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Thursday, November 16, 2006

Major Retrofit For Early Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft Begins

Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from 3Sqn, 17Sqn and 29Sqn of the Royal Air Force take to the skies over the Lincolnshire coast to perform a ’Diamond Nine’ formation. It is the first time that only single-seat aircraft are used in this formation, with the lead aircraft piloted by Group Captain Bob JudsonAll Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoon shall have the same capability. That is the objective of the substantial retrofit programme R2 that has now begun for 115 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of earlier capability standards. Aircraft in Blocks 1, 2 and 2B, are now being upgraded to Block 5 capability, FOC standard (Final Operational Capability) in order to maximise Eurofighter Typhoon capability at a fleet level.

An upgrade management philosophy is in place to combine Eurofighter Typhoon Capability Upgrades with routine scheduled maintenance to enhance overall fleet availability. With ongoing development on Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 aircraft, maintenance philosophies and Capability Insertion Upgrade planning will need to be integrated to keep all aircraft to the same standard, whilst retaining high fleet availability.

The first non-Block 5 aircraft to be brought to FOC standard is BS021, the 21st single seater of UK production. Only a few days later German aircraft GS019 joined the programme. Both are Block 2B aircraft. This functionality standard standard represents the full air-to-air functionality, whereas Block 5 includes this plus the enhanced carefree handling air-to-ground capability to drop laser guided bombs.

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